Spotify and the AI arms race
October 11, 2025
14 min
1689
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1,774 of 2,041
Episode 1689 · October 11, 2025
Spotify and the AI arms race
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14:25This episodeSpotify and the AI arms race
Summary
<p>Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company.</p> <p>He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion.</p> <p>In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developing new technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time”.</p> <p>The move comes months after Ek’s involvement in the global defence industry was revealed, prompting an artist backlash, with some pulling their music from the platform.</p> <p>Today, we’re bringing you an episode we recorded in July with author and journalist Liz Pelly, which exposes Ek’s investments in AI-based military technology and Spotify’s embrace of AI in music.</p> <p><br />If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.</p> <p><br />Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram</p> <p>Guest: Author and journalist Liz Pelly </p> <p>Photo: Janerik Henriksson, TT News Agency, File</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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